Brake mechanism



May 17, 1932.

c. H. TAYLoR BRAKE MECHANISM Original Filed May 19. 1924 3 Sheets-Shea*l 1 pw o e MJ/m3 May 17, 1932. l c. H. TAYLOR lBRAKE MECHANISM s sheets-sheet 2 Original FleclMayI 19, 1924 May 17, 1932. c. H. TAYLOR BRAKE MEGHANISM Original Filed May 19, 1924 3 lSheets-Shef. ,t 3

Patented May 17, 1932 nUNITED s'rAyTi-:s`l'

PATENT OFFICE cEcII. HAMELIN TAYLOR, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AssIGNoa To -BENDIX BRAKE oon- PANY, or soUTiI BEND, INDIANA, A COBTORATION OF ILLINOIS BRAKE MECHANISM Original application 1ed` May` 19, 1924, Sera1 No. 714,187. Divided andthis application led DecemberV 22, 1928. Serial No. 3127,84?.

My invention pertains in general to steering wheel mechanism and more particularly to a novel brake.k

The brake of my construction is of genn eral application as far as steering wheels are concerned but is particularly adapted for .conjunction with the braking system disclosed in my copendingbpatent application, Serial No. 714,187 filed ay 19, 1924, from whici :the present subject matter was divide In automobile practice, it is desirable that should not be applied to it for the reason result in the that to do so would frequentliy thus permitfront -wheel being locked an ting it to act as a skid.

I propose to provide novel brake mechanism which will tend to prevent the steering wheels from being looked when out of their normal position and thus minimize skidding as far as the front wheels are involved.

Furthermore, the braking mechanism of my invention is so constructed that it will have maximum braking efficiency when the steering` wheel is in its normal position and pointed straight ahead. Also the mechanism includes means for enabling any desired braking effectiveness for the different angular'positions ofthe steering wheel with respeotv to its normal position. This construction results' in less braking eiciency when the steering wheel is moved out of its normal position, the degree to which said eiiciency is decreased depending upon the position of the wheel.

Moreover, I provide in my novel brake mechanism a plurality of telescoping tubular guides for taking Iup lateral thrust when the wheel is turned at an angle to its normal position. These guidesl serve as housings for springs' which at all times tend to urge the male brake element out of cooperation a. direction parallel to the axis of the wheel.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following detail description taken in connection withf the accompanying` drawingsA which' illustrate one embodiment thereof and in which,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and the associated steering wheel mechanism of my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View somewhat reduced in size of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional View takenl on substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looln'ng in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figuree is a sectional view taken on substantially the line 4 4y of Fig. 1 looking downwardly; and' Figure 5 is a'sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction l indicated by the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in

which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, 15

designates generally` a part; of an automobilev chassis (Fig. 1) The chassisl has connected thereto the usual leaf spring construction 16 which carries the conventional front axle 18. The axle 18- has mounted thereon a pair of steerin wheels 17,' one ,of which is illustrated in t e accompanying drawings.

Associated with the axle 18 isthe forward end of an operating rod 24 which has pivotal connection through a clevis 25 with the end' of a relatively long brake arm 26. I desire it understood that although I shall describe in detail the mechanism associatedwith one steering wheel, thesainc is not to be limited to the one wheel-.for itap lies equally well'to the other front wheel ofp the vehicle. Each of the front wheels of the vehicle have similar brake and steering mechanism, as will be obvious from theac'companying description. A pivot pin 27 pivotally supports the arm or lever 26 on a bearing block 28. This bearing block 28 'is rigidly secured to the front axle 18 of the car by astud bolt 31. Extending substantially at right angles to the arm 26 is another short arm 32, whichA curve updistance apart and supported on the spindle.

36. The spindle projects from a relatively larger portion 37 forming part of the entire steering knuckle 38. From the upper part ofthe portion 37, an upper bearing lug 39 projects inwardly toward the frame of the car, and ata slight angle from the horizontal. Also extending from the lower part of this portion 37 is a depending `bearing lug 41 which is similarly inclined to the horizontal. The bore 40 of the upper bearing lug 39 is aligned with the bore 42 of the lower bearing lug and an axial line through these bores intersects the road surface substantially at the same point of contact as a vertical center line through the wheel 17.

The end of the front axle 18 has a head 43 pered bore in which seats a tapered shank 45 of a pivot pin 44. The lower end of the pivot pin is cylindrical for fitting within a bearing bushing 47 in the bore 42. A disk 48 having a spherical top and preferably constructed of hardened metal is .seated in the bottom of the bore 42 and carries the end thrust transmitted through the pivot pin 44.

The uppercylindrical end 49 of this pivot pin extends up into a cylindrical bore in the removable bushing` or bearing sleeve 51. This bearing sleeve is supported in the upper bore 40 and extends down to approximately the top of the head 43. the bearing rotation occurring between this sleeve 51 and the plvot pin 44. The sleeve 51 is readily removable from the boss 39 and has a flange on its upper end forming lateral bolting ears 53 through which are passed bolts 54 threaded into the boss 39.

In assembling the steering knuckle, this sleeve 51 is left out of the boss or bearing 39 until the pivot'pin 44 is in position. The tapered shank'45 of the pivot;pin is rigidly wedged into-the head 43 of the axle, and in the first step of assembly the upper end of this pivot pin is hooked up through the bearing 39 to bring the top of the head 43 up to approximately the bottom of the bearing. 39, after which the cylindrical lower end of the pivot pin is dropped back into the lower bearing bushing 47. Thereafter, the bearing sleeve 51 is slipped down over the cylindrical upper end ofthe pivot pin, and is rigidly fastened to the upper lug 39 by bolts 54. l A grease cup or lubricant nipple l screws into the top of the sleeve 51 and permits the introduction of lubricant to the bearing surfaces Steering motion is given the wheel through a suitable steering arm55 having a laterally extending shank 56 which is rigidly keyed in a hub or'socket 57 extending from the lower bearing lug 41. The other `end of this shank portion 56 may extend forwardly and make any suitable connection with the tie rod extending across t0 the other front wheel for causing simultaneous steering motion of both wheels. It was not believed necessary to illustrate the tie rod since it does not per se constitute part of the present invention and may be of any conventionalY construction.

The brake for this front wlieel is indicated at 61 and is preferably of the conical clutch type. The female element 62 of the brake 61 rotates with the wheel 17 and the male element 63 is non-rotatably connected with the steering knuckle. A brake lining-64 is preferably interposed between these two brake elements, as best shown in Fig. 1. Also the male brake element 63 may be slotted at intervals, bored out with a tapered tool to form a taas indicated in Fig. 1, in which latter case the brake lining 64 would be preferably secured to the male brake element. The -web of the female brake element 62 is secured-by rivets 65 to an inner flange 66 extending outwardly adjacent the inner end of the wheel hub 35.

The web of the male brake element 63 is set back as indicated at 67 and to this web is riveted a fianged yoke 68. To permit the passing of the steering knuckle, the latter is provided with an elongatedA opening 69 formed with an inwardly turned marginal flange 71, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

The swinging part of the steering knuckle is formed with a ange 72 lying in aI vertical plane and extending above and below the v bearing lugs 39 and 41 to snugly fit within the opening 69. This precludes the entrance of stones, dirt or other` analogous forei matter into the space between the two bra e drums.

Referring to Figs. 4 and5, the two ends of the yoke 68 are formed with cylindrical guides T4-74. These guides align with holes 75 in the web of the drum 63 and extending through these holes and having guided engagement in the members 74 are sleeve guides 76. The sleeve guides 74 are riveted in the end of a mounting yoke 77, as indicated at 78. As shown in Fig. 3, this yoke 77 is mounted astride the portlon 37 of the steering knuckle. A bolt 79 passes down through the top of the yoke and taps into a flat-topped boss 81, thereby securing` the yoke in one plane. The ends of the'yoke are drilled out for the reception of bolts or cap screws 81', which screw into the member 37 andv These springs normally retain the two brak-- ing elements out of frictional engagement. Grease cups or lubricant receiving nipples 8i iu the ends of the guide cylinders 74 permit the introduction of lubricantinto the spring chambers.

The arcuate presser bar 34 has forked ends 85 which embrace the inner sides of thespring or guide cylinders 74. As shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the presser bar bear against lugs 86 projecting inwardly from the spring confining cylinders 74. The outer curve of the presser bar 34 is preferably concentric with the axis extending down through the pivot pin 44, although this outer surface may be eccentric or of a different curvature to give any desired braking effectiveness for different angular positions of the steering wheel.

This is in accordance with the desired object of producing a maximum braking effect on the front Wheels when they are pointed straight ahead, but reducing this braking ef` fect as the twheels are turned in either direction, so that when turned the wheels cannot be locked and thereby act as skids. In the majority of instances, however, there need be no special design or eccentric curvature given this outer surface of the presser bar 34 owing to a cooperativeaetion existing between the cone clutch type of brake and a steering Wheel. It will be noted that the roller 33 transmits a braking thrust to the presser bar 34 along a line. extending su bstan.- tially longitudinally of the front axle 18.

When the axis of the steering wheel is in substantialprolongation of this axis of the axle 18, thisthrust is of maximum eflieiency for forcing the brake elel ients together. On the other hand, when the-wheel is turned at an angleya considerable'part of this thrust from the roller 33 is taken up as lateral thrust imposed upon the tubular guides 76 so that the braking pressure transmitted to the male brake element is reduced, and to a degree depending upon the angularity of the wheel.

sitions of the steering wheel with respect to its normal position. Moreover, the curvature -of the presser bar renders the braking -force of the mechanism of less eiiiciency when the wheel is moved out of its normal position into an angular position, the degree to which said efficiency is decreased depending upon the angular position of the wheel. This arrangement prevents the Wheels from being locked when they are turned, thus eliminating to a considerable extent the possibility of the wheels serving as skids. However, when the Wheels are pointed straight ahead maximum braking force lwill be applied to them by the mechanism of my construction through the presser bar previously described.

Also, as is obvious from the foregoing description, the telescoping guides perform two functions, viz. theguiding of the male brake element so that it will be properly aligned at all times with the female element and the housing of the compression springs for urging the male brake element out of cooperation with the female element. i i

Now, I desire it understood that although I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vehicle steering wheel, and a cone clutch brake associated therewith having maximum braking etliciency when said wheel is in its normal position, said mechanism including means for varying the braking effectiveness for various angular positions of the steering wheel with respect to its normal position.

2. In combination, a vehicle steering wheel, and a cone clutch brake associated tion, said mechanism including means for rendering the braking force of said mechamsm of less eiiic1encyl whensald wheel is moved out of its normal position, the degree to which said eiiciency is decreased depending upon the angular position of said Wheel.

3. In combination, a vehicle steering wheel, and a cone clutch brake associated therewith having maximum braking eiliciency when said Wheel is in its normal position and means for varying the braking effectiveness for the different angular positions of the steering wheel with respect to its normal position, said means including telescoping guide members for taking up lateral thrust when said wheel is turned at an angle to its normal position.

4. A brake con'iprisinga spindle, relatively movable friction elements concentric thereto, a, lsupport between the elements concentric to the spindle, a compression member between the support and one 'of-the friction elements and means for engaging the elements against the resistance of the compression member.

5. A brake comprising a spindle, relatively movable friction elements concentric thereto, a support intermediate the elements and concentric to the spindle, compression members v on the support and means associatedwith one of the friction elements for engaging the friction elements against the resistance of the compression members.

6. A brake comprising a spindle, relatively movable friction elements concentric thereto, a fixed su port arranged concentric to the spindlean intermediate the elements, a compression member positioned between the fixed support and one of the elements and means for applying force to engage the elements against the resistance of the compression member.

7 A brake co 'prising a spindle, relatively movable friction`,.elements concentric thereto, a fixed support arranged concentric to the spindle and intermediate the elements, compression members between-the support and y one of the friction elements and means for.

engaging the friction elements against the resistance ofthe `.compression members.

8. A brake comprising relativelymovable friction elements, a fixed support between the elements,sleeves positioned on the support, sleeves positioned on one of the friction elements telescoping the sleeves on the fixed support, compression members positioned inthe sleeves and ahthrust receiving member embracing the sleeves on the friction element.

9. A brake comprising external and internal friction elements, a fixed support between the elements, sleeves positioned on the support extending through openings in the internal element, sleeves on the internal element telescoping the sleeves on the support,

compression members positioned in the sleeves and means for moving the internal element against the resistance of the compression members to engage the external and internal elements. 10. A brake comprising internal and external friction elements, a-xed support between the elements, sleeves on the support projecting through openings in the internal element, sleeves on the internal element tclescoping the sleeveson the support, coil springs in the sleeves and a thrust receiving member embracing the sleeves on the internal element..

11. In a brake mechanism. the combination with a dirigible wheel, aspindle supporting the wheel, a drum on the wheel having a ta- -pered inner periphery and a drum having a tapered periphery adapted for co-operation therewith and movable axially with respect thereto, of a Stationary support on the spindle, sleeves on the support extending through openings in the axially movable drum, sleeves on the axially movable drum telescoping the sleeves on the support, coil springs in the sleeves and a thrust receiving member embracing the sleeves on the drum.

12. Ina brake mechanism, the combination Awith a dirigible wheel, a spindle supporting the wheel, a braking element carried by the wheel and an axially movable braking element, of a support on t-he spindle between the braking element-s, means intermediate the support and the axially movable braking element for normally retaining the braking elements in spaced relation and a thrust receiving member on the axially movable friction member. Y

13. Ina brake mechanism, the combination' with a dirigible wheel positioned for rotation on a spindle, a friction element carried by the wheel and an axially movable friction elementadapted for cooperation therewith, of a fixedsupport intermediate the friction elements, a compression member between the fixed support' and the axially movable ele-A ment and a thrust receiving member for moving the axially movable member against the resistance of the compression member to engage the friction elements. A

14. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a diri ible wheel positioned for rotation on a swivelled spindle, a friction element carried thereby and an axially movable friction element adaptable for cooperation therewith, of a .fixedsupport intermediate the friction elements, a plurality of sleeves on the fixed supportextending through openings in the axially movable element, sleeves on the axially movable element telescoping the sleeves on the support, coil springs inthe sleeves normally retaining the friction elements in spaced relation and a thrust receiving member embracing the sleeves on the axially movable elements for compressing the springs to engage the friction elements'.

` ,15. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a dirigible wheel positioned for rotation on a swivelled spindle, a friction element carried bythe wheel and an axiallymovable frictionlelement adapted for cooperation therewith, of a fixed support on the spindle between the friction elements, sleeves on the fixed support extending through openings in the, axially movable element. sleeves on the axially movable clement telescoping the sleeves on the fixed support, coil. springs in the sleeves and a member embracing the sleeves on the axially movable element having an arcuate body adapted to receive thrust for 

